New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

Largest Increase Ever From Top Insurers. Will Euronet Worldwide Employees Be Affected?

Healthcare Provider Update: Offers medical insurance, vision, and dental coverage, with additional support for parents coverage. ACA planning is recommended for employees and retirees, especially in light of potential subsidy expirations and premium hikes Click here to learn more

'With ACA premiums expected to rise in 2026, Euronet Worldwide employees should compare marketplace and employer-related options early, model net costs with and without current subsidies, and coordinate with HR and a qualified tax professional for decisions suited to their situation.' — Patrick Ray, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'With ACA marketplace premiums expected to climb in 2026, Euronet Worldwide employees should compare employer and marketplace options early, estimate net costs under both current and lapsed subsidy scenarios, and coordinate with HR and a qualified tax professional to align coverage with their budget.' — Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:
1. The expected premium increases for ACA marketplace plans in 2026 and their potential impact on Euronet Worldwide employees and retirees.
2. The major national insurers and states with the largest requested rate hikes.
3. The primary economic, legislative, and industry factors driving these increases.
In 2026, health insurance rates for plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace are expected to surge, with several insurers requesting increases exceeding 60%. ¹ For Euronet Worldwide employees and retirees using ACA coverage, this could mean a substantial rise in health care costs. State insurance filings and industry publications point to higher medical expenses, the potential end of enhanced federal premium subsidies, and significant rate-hike proposals from major insurers as key drivers of the increase.

According to KFF’s analyses, the vast majority of marketplace enrollees receive premium tax credits, and if the enhanced credits expire after 2025, average out-of-pocket premium payments for subsidized enrollees could rise by more than 75% in 2026. ¹ As of January 2025, 24.2 million people selected 2025 marketplace coverage, ² and about 93% of marketplace enrollees rely on premium tax credits. ³ KFF also reports that requested premium increases for 2026 are the largest in years, with most proposals falling between roughly 12% and 27% and a median of 18% across reviewed filings. ⁴

Top 10 States With the Largest Requested Premium Increases for 2026:
- New York: UnitedHealthcare requesting up to +66.4% (individual market).
- Arkansas: QualChoice +54.4% , Ambetter (Celtic) +42.5% , statewide average +36.1% .
- Colorado: Western Slope ~+38.8% ; statewide average +28.4% . Rocky Mountain HMO +36.4% , Cigna +29.4% , Anthem +33.6% , Kaiser +15.3% .
- Florida: Molina ~+41% , Florida Blue +27% , Centene Venture +18.73%
- Maine: Anthem (revised) +24.8% ; statewide weighted average +25.9% .
- Washington: 14 insurers; requested average +21.2% .
- Vermont: BCBS Vermont +23.3% .
- Maryland: Requested statewide average +17.1% (individual market).
- Illinois: BCBS Illinois +27% .
- Texas: BCBS Texas +21% .
Major National Insurers and Their 2026 Requests:
- UnitedHealthcare (UnitedHealth Group): Up to +66.4% in New York.
- Elevance Health (Anthem BCBS): +33.6% in Colorado; +24.8% in Maine.
- Kaiser Permanente: +15.3% in Colorado (individual market).
- Centene Corporation (Ambetter/Celtic): +42.5% in Arkansas; +18.73% in Florida.
- Cigna Healthcare: +29.4% in Colorado.
- Molina Healthcare: ~41% in Florida.
- HCSC (BCBS IL, TX): +27% in Illinois; +21% in Texas.
- GuideWell (Florida Blue): +27% in Florida.
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield: Maryland requested statewide average +17.1% .
- CVS Health/Aetna: Withdrawing ACA marketplace plans in 17 states in 2026, affecting ~1 million members.
Key Factors Driving the Increases:
- Loss of Enhanced Premium Subsidies: The American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act extended ACA subsidies through 2025. Without renewal, subsidized enrollees could see sharp increases in monthly premiums beginning in 2026 (KFF estimates more than a 75% jump in average out-of-pocket premiums for subsidized enrollees if the enhancements lapse). ¹
- Medical Cost Inflation: Leading consultancies report elevated medical cost trends heading into 2026—about 7.5% in the individual market and 8.5% in the group market ⁵ —driven by hospital/physician services and prescription drugs.
- Regulatory Shifts: Market rules and state laws have influenced filings. For example, analysts note federal policy changes (e.g., the Marketplace Integrity rule) as a factor cited in filings, adding operational uncertainty for vertically integrated insurers/PBMs.

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Sources:

1. KFF, Health System Tracker. ' How much and why ACA Marketplace premiums are going up in 2026 ,' by J. Ortaliza, M. McGough, K. Vu, I. Telesford, S. Rakshit, E. Wager, L. Cotter, C. Cox. 6 Aug. 2026.

2. CMS.gov. ' Over 24 Million Consumers Selected Affordable Health Coverage in ACA Marketplace for 2025 .' 17 Jan. 2025.

3. The Commonwealth Fund. ' Proposed Rule Will Make Consumers Pay More for Health Insurance and Care in ACA Marketplaces ,' by Sara Collins. 7 May 2025.

4. Fierce Healthcare. ' KFF Analysis finds a median ACA premium hike of 18% for 2026 ,' by Paige Minemyer. 8 Aug. 2025.

5. PwC Health Research Institute. Medical Cost Trend: Behind the Numbers 2026 . PwC , 16 July 2025, https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/behind-the-numbers.html .

Other reources:

1. New York State Department of Financial Services. “Summary of 2026 Requested Rate Actions.” DFS Portal , 2 June 2025, https://myportal.dfs.ny.gov/web/prior-approval/ind-and-sg-medical/summary-of-2026-requested-rate-actions .

2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability (Final Rule). 18 June 2025, PDF, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-9884-f-2025-pi-rule-master-5cr-062025.pdf .

3. Minemyer, Paige. “Aetna to Exit the ACA Exchanges in 2026.” Fierce Healthcare , 1 May 2025, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/aetna-exit-aca-exchanges-2026 .
Pages/Sections referenced: Article body noting ~1 million exchange members and the 2026 exit (single web page; n. pag.).

What type of retirement savings plan does Euronet Worldwide offer to its employees?

Euronet Worldwide offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

How can employees of Euronet Worldwide enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees of Euronet Worldwide can enroll in the 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.

Does Euronet Worldwide match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Euronet Worldwide offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, subject to specific terms and conditions.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) plan at Euronet Worldwide?

The maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) plan at Euronet Worldwide is in line with the IRS limits, which may change annually.

Are there any vesting requirements for the employer match in Euronet Worldwide’s 401(k) plan?

Yes, Euronet Worldwide has a vesting schedule for the employer match, which employees should review in the plan documents.

Can employees of Euronet Worldwide take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Euronet Worldwide allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan’s rules and regulations.

What investment options are available in Euronet Worldwide’s 401(k) plan?

Euronet Worldwide’s 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and other investment vehicles, which employees can choose from.

How often can employees change their contribution amounts in Euronet Worldwide’s 401(k) plan?

Employees at Euronet Worldwide can change their contribution amounts on a regular basis, typically during open enrollment or at any time as permitted by the plan.

What happens to the 401(k) savings if an employee leaves Euronet Worldwide?

If an employee leaves Euronet Worldwide, they have several options for their 401(k) savings, including rolling it over to another retirement account or leaving it in the Euronet Worldwide plan, if allowed.

Does Euronet Worldwide provide any educational resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plan?

Yes, Euronet Worldwide provides educational resources and tools to help employees understand their 401(k) plan and make informed investment decisions.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Euronet Worldwide offers a Defined Contribution Plan known as the Euronet Worldwide Inc 401(k) Plan. This plan allows employees to contribute pre-tax or after-tax funds towards their retirement, with both employer and employee contributions possible. The plan includes investment options such as Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Savings Plans, and Profit Sharing Plans. Contributions are maintained in individual accounts for employees, and an alternate payee can be assigned a portion of an account balance through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). This plan's flexibility in allowing transfers to tax-qualified accounts like IRAs helps avoid early withdrawal penalties. As of 2022, the plan had total assets amounting to $52,116,351 (QDRO Desk). Eligibility for the plan typically requires one year of service and reaching the age of 21, similar to standard 401(k) plans. However, the employer match rate, vesting schedules, and specific conditions for the plan vary annually. For 2022 through 2024, the employer match is expected to remain around 3%, which is aligned with industry standards (

Restructuring and Layoffs: In 2023, Euronet Worldwide announced a restructuring plan aimed at streamlining its operations. This plan included layoffs primarily affecting its technology and administrative divisions. The company cited the need to improve efficiency and adapt to changing market conditions as key reasons for these changes. The restructuring is part of a broader strategy to enhance profitability and operational agility in a competitive landscape. This news is particularly relevant given the current economic climate, which demands organizations to continuously optimize their operations to maintain financial stability and growth.

Euronet Worldwide offers stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to its employees. The company's stock options are typically granted based on performance and tenure. Euronet Worldwide RSUs are generally provided as part of executive compensation packages and are vested over a specified period.

Healthcare Trends: There is no specific industry news that indicates substantial changes to Euronet Worldwide’s healthcare benefits. However, like many companies, they are likely adapting to broader industry trends such as increased focus on mental health support and telemedicine options. Key Healthcare-Related Terms and Acronyms